There is a strong view among adventurous healthcare professionals that Parkinson’s disease is not a distinct, separate “disease”, but one possible set of symptoms arising from one or more causes that create a degenerative process.

When viewed in this way, likely causes become clearer and treatment options widen dramatically. Modern research is now showing significant benefits from “folk medicine” and “old wives’ remedies” like food choices, appropriate hydration, dancing, singing, gentle detoxification activities, self-love and meditation.

Let’s look at Parkinson’s disease as a set of symptoms, discover the individual pathway that led each person to this point, and deal with the causes to create wellness.www.returntostillness.com.au

What evidence is there for the idea that Parkinson’s disease is simply a set of symptoms rather than a distinct disease?

What are the causes or processes that may lead to degeneration and diagnosis of a “disease”.

How can we find the cause or causes for each individual when western medicine struggles to even diagnose Parkinson’s disease accurately?

Are there some simple diagnostic tools to help us?

Are there some general health-giving activities and choices that apply no matter what cause is discovered?

You list three basic causes for all degenerative disorders. Can we talk about some basic treatment options for each one?

Suppressed trauma

Environmental toxins

Stealth infections

How much of the recovery process depends on the patient?

You talk about some specific therapies in presentations – Aqua Hydration Formulas™ and Bowen Therapy. Is there any evidence supporting their use for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?

“Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’” was published in 2005. Have you changed your views on any aspects of treatment since then?

There is a lot of talk about the “Mediterranean Diet” for those with Parkinson’s disease. Do you think this is the best diet to choose?

Research has been published purporting to show that coffee (3-6 cups daily) is protective against Parkinson’s disease (and a number of other conditions) and is a useful dietary supplement. Do you agree?

If a person develops Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms, and/or is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, what are your top tips for moving forward towards good health?

Several years ago I received numerous requests from people with Parkinson’s interested in having an organized summary of Parkinsons Recovery resources I have generated over the past decade. I initially resisted this idea. It takes quite a bit of time and effort to write, edit and publish books. Besides, all of the information is readily available on the websites maintained by Parkinsons Recovery.

Several people pointed out that the information is scattered all over the place: radio shows from five years ago, blog posts written over the course of 10 years. To get some of the information you need, you have to listen to a series of one hour radio shows.

How to Claim Parkinsons Recovery Resources

Many of my books are now available in public libraries, but not all libraries. If you would like to read any of my books and it is not available on the shelves of your public library, you can always submit an interlibrary loan request through your local library. Interlibrary loan requests are free to submit in most libraries. Your library should be able to obtain the book from another library that has it. If your local library receives enough interlibrary requests for a book, the staff will add it to their permanent collection. This makes the book readily available to everyone your community.

Help others by helping yourself. Claim the Parkinsons Recovery books you want to read from your public library.

My doctor recently switched my diagnosis from Parkinson’s Disease to MSA (Multiple System Atrophy). Do you know of any treatment modality that is particularly successful for treating MSA?

multiple-system-atrophy

There are many causes of neurological symptoms. I believe it is always wise to pause and consider what factors might be at the root cause of the symptoms that are currently experienced. As you will discover from stories of people who have reversed their symptoms, many causes can be the culprit. Some of these stories are reported in Pioneers of Recovery.

I recently started taking NOW brand Mucuna (120mg LDopa) along with my 1/2 Sinemet tablet in 4-hour intervals. Its been only 3 weeks, but I can feel the Mucuna working, even with the Sinemet dosage halved! I also ordered ZANDOPA from India. Can you comment on these 2 products?

Thanks.

Javier

Response:

It is wonderful to hear that the source of mucuna (which is a natural source of dopamine) which you have discovered seems to be helping significantly. Hooray! From interviews I have done with herbalists, there are few, if any, commercial sources of high quality Mucuna that are available.

Andrew Bentely, a herbalist who was featured in the 2009 edition of Pioneers of Recovery, reports that he does not prescribe Mucuna for his patients because he is unable to find a supply that is reliable. What he looks for is Mucuna that is grown in the wild which he has been unable to find anywhere in the world.

I have even had calls from some people who report that their supply of Mucuna had been working beautifully for them until they received a re- shipment – which fizzled. As you can see, reports are scattered all over the place.

I do not have any recommendations for a reliable source of Mucuna for these reasons. If sounds like your source may be a goldmine. I hope it continues to be useful.

One of the presenters at the Parkinsons Recovery Summit, Aunt Bean (Sandra), will offer a workshop where she will give point by point instructions on how to make their own dopamine at home from the sprouts of fava beans (or the tips if you have a garden). Her homemade tincture offers her wonderful relief from the symptoms of Parkinsons that she currently experiences. The Summit this year is in Cincinnati, Ohio June 22-23.

I do not have any specific information about the medicine you ordered from India, though I am certain it would depend on the specific source.

I need your help. I am 70 years old. I recently discovered that my right hand “tremors a little” when I hold a pen, a cup, or a fork.

My friend told me that I may have early symptom of Parkinson and suggested to take 5 mg. of Enada.

What do you think? What is the best way to eliminate the hand tremor?

Thanks.

James

Response:

I can sense that the comment by your friend that you may be experiencing the early stage of Parkinson’s Disease elicited considerable fear and anxiety. The instinct of course is to find a quick remedy that will calm the tremor down or make it go away.

There are certainly medications of one type or another that will silence a tremor in the short term. For many people relief [if even in the short term] is most welcome. You have ask for a recommendation on a medication that will do just that – silence the tremor whether in the short term or the long term.

There are variety of herbs and prescription medications that will serve that purpose and provide just that type of relief. I have interviewed several herbalists who recommend one herb or another for tremors – so this is clearly an avenue you might want to pursue. Aunt Bean makes a homemade tincture from fava beans which gives her incredible relief from her symptoms. You can find more information about her remedy on the Parkinsons Recovery Fava Bean website. [http://www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com]

Let me suggest an alternative approach to this puzzle. Instead of dampening the symptom
– investigate more systematically. Why is your body telling you that something is currently out of balance? Treat the tremor as valuable information your body is giving you right now.

Have you been exposed to toxins of one type or another?

How about exposure to Agent Orange?

How about exposure to radiation?

How about exposure to pesticides?

How about exposure to heavy metals?

We have discovered that unwelcome critters that live inside your body can also create neurological havoc.

Is Lyme Disease a possible factor for you? It’s symptoms are the same as those of Parkinson’s

Do you possibly have an overgrowth of candida? This can cause the symptoms too.

Is it possible that you have a reaction to a tetanus inoculation? Sharry Edwards has discovered that tetanus is a primary factor for a surprising number of people who have had BioAcoustic profiling done.

I will not attempt to provide a full of possible causes list since it would take a book and this is only a short post in a blog. Consider the above as a short list of possible factors that may be causing your tremor.

Most importantly, use your intention to dampen the fear that your friend has triggered. Once you determine the factor (or factors) that are causing the tremor, you will be able to find a resolution to the problem. One the cause has been identified and treated you will no longer need to mask the symptom with a prescription drug or herb.

Might I suggest that the perfect New Year’s Resolution for you would be to set the intention to determine the cause of your tremor, to treat it and subsequently become symptom free in 2012.

I just released Pioneers of Recovery 2012 which includes the stories of 11 persons with Parkinsons who reversed their symptoms. Each pioneer was a guest on my radio show. You
can listen to the shows as you investigate causes that may be factors or you can read about their stories in Pioneers of Recovery 2012.

The one and only person who can solve the puzzle of why you are experiencing a tremor is you. Join with others on the road to recovery as you set the intention to heal the tremor instead of treating it symptomatically,

What would you say to a person who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?

Get involved in an exercise program, whether it is Tai Chi or something else that turns you on. Whatever it is, get involved and make it a regular part of your life because exercise and keeping your body moving is one of the things that keeps you healthy.

I just received a special offer from my publisher: a 25% discount on orders of any of my books. As the author I personally cannot take advantage of this great deal – but you can if you are interested in having a paperback version of one or all of my books.

The 25% discount is good until December 14, 2011. The websites listed below provide the links to the publisher’s page that lists my books.

Here is how to get the discount. First, visit any of the book websites below and click on a link to order a paperback book. Once you are on the publisher page (lulu.com) click to order the book. After designating your preferred shipping method look for a field to enter a coupon code. The coupon code to enter is: BUYMYBOOK305. Update the shopping cart and the 25% discount will be applied. You have to order directly from the publisher, not through Amazon.

Here are the relevant websites that have links to the paperback books: